Shoe form



Jan. 25, 1938. w. J. DE wm 2,106,497

SHOE FORM FiledvJuly 16, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 25, 1938.4 w, J, DE wlTT 2,106,491

SHOE FORM Filed July'le, 193e 2 Sheets-sheet 2 f'lliaansl'e l aim a Z 70:5' @zeef/6':

Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STM-Es PATENT OFFICE SHOE FORM William J. De Witt, Auburn, N. Y., assgnor to Shoe Form Co., Inc., Auburn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 16, 1936, Serial No. 90,850

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improvement in a shoe form and has for its principal object the provision of a shoe form of the full form type, the heel portion of which is relatively movable A either to facilitate the insertion of the form into a shoe or the insertion of a last or a foot into the form when used as a fitting of try-on form.

A further object of this invention is the provision in the walls of the form of one or more longitudinally extending corrugations whereby the walls are stiifened, such depressions being provided, if desired, with openings which serve various purposes as will be pointed out below.

These and other objects will appear from an examination of the following description and of the drawings which form a part thereof and in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a shoe form which includes one embodiment of this invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are heel end views of the form shown in Fig. 1, illustrating two positions taken by the heel portions thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View of the toe portion of the form;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a shoe form which includes another embodiment of this invention;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation thereof, the heel portion being shown in two different positions; and

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional View of the toe portion of the form.

The shoe form 20 illustrated in Figs. l to 5,

inclusive, is of the full form type made from a sheet of Celluloid or other suitable moldable material and having an integral toe portion 2 l, side Walls 22 and heel portion 23. The heel portion 23 is formed by the rear ends 24 of the side walls 22 which ends overlap and are connected by a rivet 25 located substantially midway between the top and bottom of the form. The side walls terminate in bottom flanges 26 connected at the toe portion 2l by a cross brace 21 in any well known manner.

Longitudinally extending corrugations 28 are formed in the surface of the side walls and toe ,portion thereby stiffening such surfaces and increasing their resistance to compressing or bending forces. In the base of the corrugations are formed apertures 29 through which air can pass between the inner and outer surfaces.

The form described above is particularly adapted to be inserted into shoes for the purpose of plumping the walls thereof out to the normal condition and holding them in such condition.

The joinder of the ends of the side walls to form the heel permits a relative rocking movement and thus facilitates the insertion and removal of the form. Fig. 2 illustrates the heel portion in the normal position as when inserted in a shoe. Fig. 3 shows the ends of the side walls rocked to make the heel portion smaller at the bottom and thus render easier its insertion in the shoe or its removal therefrom. The corrugations 28 not only stiffen the walls of the form but serve as air pockets and decrease the frictional contact between the form and the shoe wall. The apertures 29 prevent any substantial trapping of air which would oppose the insertion of the form into the shoe and in case the shoe is moist or damp 15 when the form is inserted serve to ventilate the shoe.

The shoe form 30 shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 comprises a toe portion 3l, side walls 32 and a heel portion 33. The toe portion and side walls 20 form a single unit the bottom of which is closed by a plate 35 which rests upon the bottom flanges thereof. The bottom of the heel portion is similarly closed by a plate 36. The plates 35 and 36 are substantially in alignment and are connected 25 by a leaf hinge 31. The heel portion 33 can thus, as indicated on Fig. 7, be swung relatively to the toe portion and side walls unit. In the toe portion 3| and side walls 32 may be provided longitudinally extending corrugations 38 in which 30 are formed apertures 39.

The form 30 may be used either as a shoe form which is inserted into a shoe like the form 20 for the purpose of plumping out and supporting the walls of the shoe or as a means for fitting lasts 35 and shoes like the form disclosed in my Patent No. 1,734,203, dated November 5, 1929, the last or foot being inserted into the form. The movable connection of the heel portion 33 to the toe portion and side walls is of particular ad- 40 vantage in either case.

When the form is inserted into a shoe the heel is raised slightly as shown in Fig. 7 to decrease the length of the form. After the toe portion has been set in position in the toe of the shoe the 45 heel portion is seated in the heel of the shoe against the sole and heel counter. In removing the form the heel portion is raised so that the form can be easily removed by the operator. When the form is to be slipped over a last or a 5o foot the heel portion is swung down, as indicated in dotted lines on Fig. 7 and raised to the normal position indicated. in full lines on Fig. 7, after the last or foot is fully inserted. It will be understood that the corrugations 38 of forms intended 55 and a heel portion, said heel portion being formed by rearwardly extended ends of the side Walls, said ends overlapping and means intermediate the top and bottom of the form for joining said overlapping ends While permitting relative rocking thereof to decrease the Width of the shoe form at the base of the heel portion, said means comprising a rivet passed through both said overlapping ends.

WILLIAM J. DE WITT. 10 

